Strong prescription, thick lenses: Tokai BIR-W or Tokai HR-W?

Anyone with a strong prescription knows the problem. The lenses look thick, they sit heavy on the nose, and the edges show in the wrong frame. Two Tokai single vision lenses on our menu are named for this reader: Tokai BIR-W and Tokai HR-W. Both are made in Japan and take 10 to 12 days, the longest lead time on the menu.

Where each lens sits

• Tokai BIR-W is on the Enhanced tier. Our menu names it for thick lenses and strong prescriptions.
• Tokai HR-W is on the Best tier, the top of our single vision range. Our menu names it when you want the thinnest option.

We are not going to quote you a millimetre difference or a refractive index. The optometrist can show you the lens options against your own numbers. What we can say is that the Best tier is where the menu goes for the thinnest lens.

Why thickness is not only about the lens

A strong prescription does not have to look heavy. Frame choice matters as much as lens choice:

• A smaller frame uses less lens. Less lens area means thinner edges in a minus prescription.
• A round or oval shape avoids the corners. The far corners of a big rectangular frame are where a thick edge shows up most.
• A plastic frame hides an edge better than a thin metal one. A thin wire frame leaves the edge exposed.
• Pupil distance matters. If the lens is not centered on your eye, it must be cut larger, which adds thickness.

This is why the exam and the fitting are one job. The optometrist gives you the numbers, and the optician helps you choose a frame that suits them.

The 10 to 12 day wait

A Japan-made Tokai lens is made to order, and that takes time. Plan for two weeks from the day you order. If you have a wedding, a trip or a new job coming up, order early. Nikon Seemax Infinite Z, another Japan-made single vision lens, arrives in 3 to 5 days, and it is worth asking about if your deadline is close.

A temporary pair while you wait

If your old glasses are not usable, ask about an Express Service lens as a bridge. Opulens Advanced 1.60 is in stock and ready in 20 minutes. It is a reasonable stopgap while the Tokai lenses are being made, though we would not promise it will look as thin as a Tokai lens, because we cannot state that from the menu.

Is Best always the right choice?

No. If your grade is moderate, Tokai BIR-W may be all you need. The Best tier costs more, and that money is wasted if your prescription and frame do not benefit. The honest answer comes from the exam, not from a sales pitch. Ask the optician to show you the options against your own prescription, and decide with the numbers in front of you.

Contact lenses as an alternative

Contact lenses are not on the lens menu. If you are considering them to avoid thick glasses, ask about a contact lens fitting in store. Many people with strong grades wear both.

What to do next

Book a Vision7 eye test at your nearest Vision Express store. The seven-step exam includes subjective refraction, where your optometrist fine-tunes your final numbers with you. With a strong prescription, small differences in those numbers change the lens you are offered.

Ask for Tokai BIR-W at the counter. It is the lens we name for thick lenses and strong grades. If you want the thinnest option on the menu, ask for Tokai HR-W instead. Every Vision Express pair also comes with free lifetime ultrasonic cleaning, free lifetime custom fitting and adjustment, and a 1-year warranty.